Barack Obama has made a big political splash ever since he keynoted the 2004 Democrat convention.
Obama's great speaking ability, brief but sterling credentials, including being a Harvard Law grad, fresh face and ideas continue to attract political coverage and potential voters. He is running for the roses, and running hard politically. Will his efforts and ideas be sufficient to overcome the mother of all candidates--U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY).
With all his positives, Obama is up against Hillary's hurricane force and the Clinton political machine. In the end, the Obama image will be paper mache'.
Since the 2004 election cycle, the Democrat presidential nomination has always been Hillary Clinton's province. She let it go to grow stronger in preparation for her historic presidential run for the roses--as the first woman representing a major party.
Obama's run is also historic--as the first ever minority nominee for a major party. But his inexperience is quite revealing of late. His foreign affairs comments lately have displayed immaturity to many long-time political observers. Obama's six year stint in the Illinois state senate and shorter stint in the U.S. Senate reflects little leadership experience, especially to be the leader of the free world. Many leftwing bloggers, Hollywood celebrities, monied people and voters are excited about his candidacy; his time may come, but it is not now.
Showing posts with label Hilary Clinton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hilary Clinton. Show all posts
Jul 17, 2007
Presidential Run for the Roses: The GOP (Part 3)
Run Rudy Run!?
(For background, please read the previous two blogs, part 1 and 2)
In the Grand Old Party's presidential run for the roses, while U.S. Sen. John McCain's horse is losing steam, who will get the advantage in this presidential Derby? Will it be former mayor Rudolph "Rudy" Giuliani; former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney; the new white knight of conservatives, U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson, R-TN; or, another candidate?
"America's Mayor," as Oprah Winfrey has dubbed Giuliani, has been on top of most national polls since last year. He is seen as the Republican's dragon slayer, homeland defender and the proven savvy spokesman during times of crisis, or does he, too, as McCain does, have a political Archilles heel, a horse shoe that will fall off?
As a big city mayor--none other than NYC--Giuliani handled the hot media debate on issues sucessfully, particularly during 9/11. In contrast, Iowa is retail politics: one-one-one or one-on-small group in the countryside, small farms and small shops. Can he endure small town America? Will he vigorously campaign in the Iowa hinterlands, during the cold caucus nights at the Hawkeye state? This is doable for Giulani as he remains focused.
Giuliani dealt with crime and criminals in NYC and was an articulate spokesman during 9/11, but can he stop Islamic Fascism? There is a vast difference of the two. Yet, dealing with NYC gangs and decades long criminals and criminal families, Giulani has proven more than anyone else (besides president Bush 1 and 2 and Reagan), that he is willing to face the forces of darkness. His background shows victories but also a pullout.
He had the opportunity to defeat Hilary Clinton during her initial bid for New York Senate. Giulani backed out due to prostate cancer. Clinton went on to win handily. Giulani has another opportunity to do what he should have done earlier--defeat Hilary Clinton. His aborted campaign had other, perhaps hidden, reasons, which may point to his Archilles heal.
Giulani, before his NY Senate campaign, was warned by his then wife, to stop, within a year, his involvement with another woman. Apparently, after the one year period ended, Giuliani continued the affair. His wife came out publicly denouncing her husband's adultery. This announcement was followed by the announcement that Giulani had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Giulani then stopped his NY Senate bid.
To further complicate his moral disposititons, Giulani marched with NYC gay groups for many years while also marching lockstep with abortion rights groups. The "A" issue along with the gay and abortion issues do not sit well with social conservatives.
As more and more social conservatives, the largest voting block in the Republican Party, learn more about Giulani the man, how many will vote for him during the primary, particularly the South Carolina primary and later the in general election. Does he have other scandals yet to be revealed that Democrat opposition researchers will strategically leak to the media? With this moral Archilles heel, can he slay the dragon that will appear after the Democrat primary in 2008? Will their be a horse shoe that will drop during this lengthy presidential run for the roses?
He is seen as a hero to the nation, and particularly Republicans. He has led us through the wilderness of 9/11. In the end, is Giulani a biblical Samson, who led Israel for many years but had a moral weakness which led to his eventual downfall? Or will he be the St. George, saving the Republican village from a fire breathing Democrat dragon?
Your turn. What do you think?
For background, please read the two previous blogs, part 1 and 2.
Next Mitt Romney, Fred Thompson and other candidates.
(For background, please read the previous two blogs, part 1 and 2)
In the Grand Old Party's presidential run for the roses, while U.S. Sen. John McCain's horse is losing steam, who will get the advantage in this presidential Derby? Will it be former mayor Rudolph "Rudy" Giuliani; former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney; the new white knight of conservatives, U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson, R-TN; or, another candidate?
"America's Mayor," as Oprah Winfrey has dubbed Giuliani, has been on top of most national polls since last year. He is seen as the Republican's dragon slayer, homeland defender and the proven savvy spokesman during times of crisis, or does he, too, as McCain does, have a political Archilles heel, a horse shoe that will fall off?
As a big city mayor--none other than NYC--Giuliani handled the hot media debate on issues sucessfully, particularly during 9/11. In contrast, Iowa is retail politics: one-one-one or one-on-small group in the countryside, small farms and small shops. Can he endure small town America? Will he vigorously campaign in the Iowa hinterlands, during the cold caucus nights at the Hawkeye state? This is doable for Giulani as he remains focused.
Giuliani dealt with crime and criminals in NYC and was an articulate spokesman during 9/11, but can he stop Islamic Fascism? There is a vast difference of the two. Yet, dealing with NYC gangs and decades long criminals and criminal families, Giulani has proven more than anyone else (besides president Bush 1 and 2 and Reagan), that he is willing to face the forces of darkness. His background shows victories but also a pullout.
He had the opportunity to defeat Hilary Clinton during her initial bid for New York Senate. Giulani backed out due to prostate cancer. Clinton went on to win handily. Giulani has another opportunity to do what he should have done earlier--defeat Hilary Clinton. His aborted campaign had other, perhaps hidden, reasons, which may point to his Archilles heal.
Giulani, before his NY Senate campaign, was warned by his then wife, to stop, within a year, his involvement with another woman. Apparently, after the one year period ended, Giuliani continued the affair. His wife came out publicly denouncing her husband's adultery. This announcement was followed by the announcement that Giulani had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Giulani then stopped his NY Senate bid.
To further complicate his moral disposititons, Giulani marched with NYC gay groups for many years while also marching lockstep with abortion rights groups. The "A" issue along with the gay and abortion issues do not sit well with social conservatives.
As more and more social conservatives, the largest voting block in the Republican Party, learn more about Giulani the man, how many will vote for him during the primary, particularly the South Carolina primary and later the in general election. Does he have other scandals yet to be revealed that Democrat opposition researchers will strategically leak to the media? With this moral Archilles heel, can he slay the dragon that will appear after the Democrat primary in 2008? Will their be a horse shoe that will drop during this lengthy presidential run for the roses?
He is seen as a hero to the nation, and particularly Republicans. He has led us through the wilderness of 9/11. In the end, is Giulani a biblical Samson, who led Israel for many years but had a moral weakness which led to his eventual downfall? Or will he be the St. George, saving the Republican village from a fire breathing Democrat dragon?
Your turn. What do you think?
For background, please read the two previous blogs, part 1 and 2.
Next Mitt Romney, Fred Thompson and other candidates.
Jul 12, 2007
Presidential Run for the Roses: The GOP (Part 1)
The Straight Talk Express hits a snag in South Carolina
While visiting my old stomping grounds, Louisville, Kentucky, home of the Kentucky Derby. I thought of the political race that is heating up--the 2008 presidential race.
After a hard horse race, the Derby winner steps up and receives the bouquet of roses, specially made for the occasion, thus the race is called Run for the Roses. Another special race is starting to gain more attention, the presidential race, specially the primary in my current home state of South Carolina.
As a professor in politics, teaching the presidency and the media, South Carolina is known for picking winners. South Carolina is the gateway to the South, that is, the Southern Primary. Historically, South Carolina in 1980 chose Ronald Reagan, who became president. In 1988, South Carolina picked George H.W. Bush over Pat Robertson and Jack Kemp. Bush became president.
Again, in 2000, after a bitter defeat in New Hampshire, George W. Bush came back, winning a crucial victory over John McCain--where else? in South Carolina. George W. became the 43rd president.
Since 2000, John McCain has been courting South Carolina leaders and have been endorsed by many prominent Republicans, starting with U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, R-SC, who has been "driving" the Straighttalk Express for about eight years. Graham needs to deliver for McCain, who may consider him as his vice presidential nominee.
McCain needs to win this state or his hopes will be dashed.
What do you think?
While visiting my old stomping grounds, Louisville, Kentucky, home of the Kentucky Derby. I thought of the political race that is heating up--the 2008 presidential race.
After a hard horse race, the Derby winner steps up and receives the bouquet of roses, specially made for the occasion, thus the race is called Run for the Roses. Another special race is starting to gain more attention, the presidential race, specially the primary in my current home state of South Carolina.
As a professor in politics, teaching the presidency and the media, South Carolina is known for picking winners. South Carolina is the gateway to the South, that is, the Southern Primary. Historically, South Carolina in 1980 chose Ronald Reagan, who became president. In 1988, South Carolina picked George H.W. Bush over Pat Robertson and Jack Kemp. Bush became president.
Again, in 2000, after a bitter defeat in New Hampshire, George W. Bush came back, winning a crucial victory over John McCain--where else? in South Carolina. George W. became the 43rd president.
Since 2000, John McCain has been courting South Carolina leaders and have been endorsed by many prominent Republicans, starting with U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, R-SC, who has been "driving" the Straighttalk Express for about eight years. Graham needs to deliver for McCain, who may consider him as his vice presidential nominee.
McCain needs to win this state or his hopes will be dashed.
What do you think?
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